UX Literacy and Methods for the Communication Job Market
Type of Presentation
Individual paper/presentation
Conference Strand
Media Literacy
Target Audience
Higher Education
Second Target Audience
Other
Communications Professionals
Location
Ballroom A
Relevance
Our proposal focuses on an important emerging facet of information literacy in higher education and communication. The study of UX literacy, via user centered design, human-subjects research, and many methods for information design and research pedagogy are all important to the conference theme and topics.
Proposal
The American Library Association (ALA) emphasizes that information literacy—rooted in research and critical thinking—is essential for finding, understanding, assessing, and using information across contexts (2024). While this principle is foundational in Library and Information Science, English Studies, Composition, Rhetoric, and Technical and Professional Communication (TPC), today’s Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) careers demand a new dimension: User Experience (UX) literacy. UX skills, particularly in methods for human-centered research and design, are increasingly listed as requirements in job postings for recent graduates (Getto et al., 2023). Integrating UX literacy into TPC curricula is essential to equip students with relevant, in-demand skills.
Our presentation defines UX literacy and explores its role as a layered component of information literacy within TPC, particularly in contexts where clear, effective communication of complex information is critical (Cooke, 2002). UX literacy encompasses research methods for gathering experiential data on user interactions with communication products—methods like task scenarios, observations, interviews, and think-aloud protocols. Analyzing this data involves interpreting emergent themes and adapting designs to meet user needs (Tracy, 2020; Charmaz, 2006; Boje, 2001). Our presentation will outline these methodologies and emphasize user-centered design practices that engage real users in the design process, creating accessible, usable information that promotes efficient, error-free experiences.
We will provide attendees with practical guidance on teaching UX methods, illustrating how students can create detailed, user-centered information. Our goal is to empower attendees to implement UX literacy practices, helping students design information that is easy to learn, remember, and use with high efficiency. This approach ensures that students enter the workforce prepared to meet the demands of STEM fields, where UX literacy can significantly enhance user success and satisfaction.
Drawing from our experience as TPC students, professionals, and educators in a UX-focused program, presenters aim to share not only foundational UX principles but also our insights from both successes and challenges. By adopting these strategies, attendees can support their students’ development of UX literacy skills that provide a competitive edge in professional settings.
Short Description
This presentation explores the importance of UX literacy as an essential layer of information literacy within Technical and Professional Communication (TPC) and STEM fields. Attendees will learn foundational UX research and design methods for gathering and analyzing user dat a to create accessible, efficient information products. Drawing from real-world examples, the presenters will provide practical strategies for integrating UX literacy into curricula, helping students develop competitive, user-centered communication skills essential for today’s careers.
Keywords
Information Literacy, User Experience (UX), UX Literacy, Careers and Marketing, Information Design, User-Centered Design, Curriculum Development, Communication Skills, STEM Education, Technical Communication
Publication Type and Release Option
Presentation (Open Access)
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Recommended Citation
Gallagher, Philip B. Dr. and Strickland, Sanaa A., "UX Literacy and Methods for the Communication Job Market" (2025). Georgia International Conference on Information Literacy. 26.
https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/gaintlit/2025/2025/26
UX Literacy and Methods for the Communication Job Market
Ballroom A
The American Library Association (ALA) emphasizes that information literacy—rooted in research and critical thinking—is essential for finding, understanding, assessing, and using information across contexts (2024). While this principle is foundational in Library and Information Science, English Studies, Composition, Rhetoric, and Technical and Professional Communication (TPC), today’s Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) careers demand a new dimension: User Experience (UX) literacy. UX skills, particularly in methods for human-centered research and design, are increasingly listed as requirements in job postings for recent graduates (Getto et al., 2023). Integrating UX literacy into TPC curricula is essential to equip students with relevant, in-demand skills.
Our presentation defines UX literacy and explores its role as a layered component of information literacy within TPC, particularly in contexts where clear, effective communication of complex information is critical (Cooke, 2002). UX literacy encompasses research methods for gathering experiential data on user interactions with communication products—methods like task scenarios, observations, interviews, and think-aloud protocols. Analyzing this data involves interpreting emergent themes and adapting designs to meet user needs (Tracy, 2020; Charmaz, 2006; Boje, 2001). Our presentation will outline these methodologies and emphasize user-centered design practices that engage real users in the design process, creating accessible, usable information that promotes efficient, error-free experiences.
We will provide attendees with practical guidance on teaching UX methods, illustrating how students can create detailed, user-centered information. Our goal is to empower attendees to implement UX literacy practices, helping students design information that is easy to learn, remember, and use with high efficiency. This approach ensures that students enter the workforce prepared to meet the demands of STEM fields, where UX literacy can significantly enhance user success and satisfaction.
Drawing from our experience as TPC students, professionals, and educators in a UX-focused program, presenters aim to share not only foundational UX principles but also our insights from both successes and challenges. By adopting these strategies, attendees can support their students’ development of UX literacy skills that provide a competitive edge in professional settings.
